The Heiress and the Hacker [[Silva & Quix]]

One would think that high society would eventually tire of the countless fundraisers, parties, and functions that seemed to occur every week, but they never did. The same faces always attended these events; blue-blooded families with money earned in another century. Alexandra Huntington was quickly losing patience with the same routine every week, but as the daughter of a prominent politician there was no way her parents would let her skip out on any social function that could further their reputation. And so she found herself with a fake smile plastered across her delicate features, pretending to enjoy herself and the conversations she was having with the guests. Generally she would show up to an event, stay for an adequate amount of time and then quietly leave.

Unfortunately that was not an option this time for Alexandra, as that evening’s event was being held at their family manor. Like a good hostess she flitted from group to group, never staying too long with any cluster and merely ensuring that they were having a good time and were considering donating to her father’s latest campaign. She constantly fielded compliments on her dress and her complexion, the fake smile that she consistently held in place beginning to make her cheeks ache. Alexandra knew she was beautiful; had known it her entire life. But it was one thing to accept simpering and hollow comments and quite another to accept genuine sentiment. And that was one thing that consistently lacked in social functions such as these.

Amongst such glittering party guests, the hostess seemed to appear rather understated in choice of dress. She wore a simple, black, floor length dress with a sweetheart bodice that made her porcelain skin glow against the rich fabric while the bottom of the dress was made of sheer chiffon fabric that revealed her long and shapely legs. Her blonde locks waved softly around her face, drawing attention to her striking blue eyes and curved pink lips. It was clear Alexandra came from an aristocratic background, but among the gossiping crowd that frequented these events she didn’t care to show off her family’s wealth with gaudy gowns and jewelry. She stood out in a different way from the rest of the spoiled girls her age, which was just how she liked it.

After another round greeting guests and briefly chatting with them she could stand the charade no longer and quietly ducked out of the main ballroom into a quieter back hallway. With a sigh she leaned back against the sturdy wall, her head tipped up to gaze tiredly at the ceiling. Once upon a time she used to get excited about parties and social events like these; spending hours primping and getting dressed up. It felt like a lifetime ago, when she was young and naïve about how this old-money political sphere worked. Now she was older, and understood that nothing in life was ever free and that she needed to guard her true self from the sharks that swam in the other room. If she could stay hidden away for the rest of the evening she would, but Alexandra knew there would be hell to pay from her parents when they realized she had left. With another sigh she stood up straight and steeled herself to slip back into the party, knowing she had already been gone for far too long. Hopefully this night would end soon.

He shouldn't have been there. The grand ball-room was filled with stuffy old men in Tuxedo's twice or three times his age, and their equally stuffy wives, attired in five thousand dollar dresses and mink shawls, ostentatious rings on their fingers, and garish make-up painted on their faces. It was meant to make them even more attractive, and to appear younger, but to Richard Treloar it just accentuated their fading looks. Many of the women had once been quite beautiful, and a few famous in their own right, but that was decades ago, before they'd married their wealthy and influential husbands, and rode their coat-tails to power and glory.

As he stood in a corner of the room, and slipped another scotch from the tray of a passing waiter, Richard counted three State Senators, a billionaire shipping mogul, and an International media tycoon. Another thing was that many who were not accompanied by their wives had instead brought their mistresses. Or maybe they were whores? It was difficult to tell the difference, with none being older than twenty, and wearing skirts which barely covered their buttocks, and tops so tight it seemed as if any sudden movement would cause the fabric to tear, and their breasts, already so prominently on display, to pop out for everyone to ogle. The smell of hypocrisy was as strong in the air as that of cigar smoke - these were men who so often appeared in the media decrying the degradation of moral values, and fall of society.

Although they wouldn't recognise him, Richard knew each man in the room intimately; it was his profession. He was what had come to be known in underground circles as an 'information broker'; a man with the ability to hack into virtually any computer system or network, and sell the intelligence discovered to the highest bidder. A far cry from the hopes of his middle-class parents that their wayward, but gifted, child would be the next Bill Gates. They still had no idea what their son did for a living, and neither did any of the occupants of the room. Although he'd dealt with many of them, and helped make, and break, political careers, Richard Treloar had never shown his face, or declared his identity. Most of his deals were done online, and on the odd occasion he was required to speak to a client by telephone, he disguised his voice with a twenty dollar scrambler. He lived in the shadows, and his business was not advertised. The men rich enough to afford his services knew how to find him, and were smart enough not to ask questions. They could be the next target.

Normally, he avoided events such as these, but tonight was different. He wasn't here to attract new clients, but for another reason entirely. Her name was Alexandra Huntington. The two had a history, and although it had been a long while since they'd last spoken, she was a woman Richard could never forget. After spotting her image once again in the society pages of the newspapers, Richard could bear it no longer, He needed to see her, even if it was only to say a proper goodbye, and the function at her parents manor was the best opportunity he was ever likely to receive. He and the Huntington's didn't run with the same crowd; their money was old, and his was new. It didn't matter how much he obtained, or how it was acquired, that fact alone meant he would never be respected by her family, or accepted into their lives.

Gaining an invitation wasn't a difficult task, Richard had one printed, and declared himself an aide, and stand-in, for a high-profile mayoral candidate who'd been unable to make it - he was currently in the Bahama's fucking his eighteen year old intern -, and been granted entry without question. He'd dressed the part, donning a pale blue suit, with vest, white dress shirt, and matching blue tie, and attempted to remain unnoticed as he'd slipped into the room. The last thing he desired was to come to the attention of Alexandra's father. The two men also had a history, and it wasn't a pleasant one. Richard had learned the hard way that Huntington was not a man to be crossed. Except for the drunken flirtations of a couple of elderly woman attracted to Richard's slim, athletic body, and ruggedly handsome features; just the slightest hint of stubble, slick-backed, neatly combed, dark-brown hair, and piercing blue eyes; he succeeded in his quest to remain anonymous.

He'd been there an hour, and hadn't moved from his isolated location, when he spotted her. Drink to his lips, Richard's posture stiffened, and his mouth went dry. For a moment he stopped breathing, then he exhaled the air in a rush as he appraised the slim, young woman in the black dress. Alexandra. Instinctively his eyes ran down her body, to take in the curves, and manner in which the fabric displayed her figure. Elegant, but classy, he thought, just as he remembered her. So much unlike the other 'rich bitches' who'd derided him as poor white trash when his talents had won him a full scholarship at one of the most prestigious, and exclusive, schools in the city, and his parents had unfortunately forced him to attend. He remained motionless as Alexandra appeared to glide across the room, then stepped through a door only twenty feet from where he stood.

Richard downed the last of his drink as she disappeared from sight, placed the empty glass on a table behind him, and steeled himself. He'd changed since they'd last seen each other, and he guessed so had she. With nerves tingling, he reached the exit, and pulled open the door. The hallway was dark in comparison to the brilliance of the ballroom, and whilst he could discern a shadowy figure he knew must be Alexandra, Richard was unable to tell if she faced him, or was turned away.

"Hello Alexandra, long time, no see. You're just as beautiful as you were back then. Maybe even more so." Richard spoke as he stepped into the hallway, and the door clicked shut behind him. Would she even know who it was?

It was a well-known myth that someone could feel whenever a person was watching them, but Alexandra felt that way most of the time so tonight was not special in the least. She didn’t notice the man standing alone on the outskirts of the ballroom, her attention firmly on playing the part of happy hostess and ensuring that all of the party guests were enjoying themselves in her home. If she felt that her task was demeaning Alexandra didn’t show it, having perfected her society mask long ago. Once upon a time she had gone to the most prestigious school in the city, wanting to study art and language and travel the world. She had been idealistic back then; her independence hadn’t been beaten into submission by her father yet.

One didn’t need an advanced degree to play her part as dutiful daughter to a politician, however, and after a few semesters her parents forced her to leave school and focus on their family full time. It didn’t reflect well on the family name when she shirked formal events to attend campus parties and then her picture ended up in the papers. They had forced her to grow up too quickly and made sure she knew what the most important priorities were. Alexandra had never really forgiven them for that, and other transgressions, but she wasn’t foolish enough to make enemies of her parents. Her life wasn’t terrible compared to most, and she continued to bide her time until such a point came that she could free herself from their heavy expectations.

Pretending to schmooze with the stuffy old politicians and businessmen and their trophy wives was something that the socialite could only handle in small doses, and every so often she needed to escape and compose herself. Again she took no notice of the singular gaze that followed her as she slipped from the ballroom; even priding herself on being able to slip away without someone noticing. The solitude she sought did not last for very long, the sudden strip of light that penetrated the dim hallway alerting her that she was no longer alone. “This room is private.” She spoke without turning, assuming it was someone that had mistakenly opened the door looking for something else. And then she heard his voice. Even after so long she knew exactly who it was that had followed her, and her heart began to race.

Alexandra schooled her delicate features into a mask of disinterest as she finally turned to the doorway, his form illuminated momentarily and then the hallway dimming again as the door closed behind him. Richard Treloar. She didn’t think she’d ever see him again after their “falling out”, which is the polite way she had begun to refer to their disastrous breakup back in school. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” Her voice was polite, but distant as she regarded him from the few scant feet that separated them. It would have been too easy to give him the satisfaction that she still remembered him, thought about him and their relationship occasionally. It was best to play dumb in this aspect, and hopefully she could slip away from him unscathed. He had changed from their school days; that much was clear. Boldly she let her eyes roam over him, as if she was actually contemplating if she knew him at all. From the slight shadow of stubble to the tailored suit he wore, Alexandra knew he was still nothing but trouble. And that she should run far, far away.

“I’m sure I would remember someone like you. Please excuse me.” Effectively trying to end their interlude, the heiress tossed her hair behind her ear decisively and glided toward the door behind him, hand outstretched to reach the knob.

Throughout he and Alexandra's relationship, one that lasted a number of months, Richard had never stepped foot in the family manor. A few times, when her parents were away for business, or off on one of their international jaunts, he'd requested Alexandra provide him a tour, so he could see how the 'other half' lived, but she'd never dared allow him inside. Consequently, he had no idea where the door led, and hoped that it wasn't into trouble. If he were be to be spotted by anyone who recognised him from years earlier, Richard had no doubt that he'd be thrown out. Most likely after being beaten to a pulp by Mr Huntington's henchman; the man didn't perform the dirty work himself. Richard had found that out the hard way when he and Alexandra's relationship had been exposed. After ignoring several not so subtle warnings from her Father's personal assistant, he received an unexpected visit one afternoon when his parents were at work, from two exceptionally large and muscular men.

They'd been professionals, and no permanent damage was rendered; the only marks left on his body were deep bruises, not visible under clothing, and which faded after a few weeks. Richard never had the opportunity to mention the beating to Alexandra, nor the call afterwards. From the man himself. The Huntington's did not associate with poor, white trash, and Richard was to cease all communication with Alexandra immediately. If his employees were required to play Richard a second visit, they wouldn't be as lenient as on the first. Richard had told him to fuck off, however the subsequent day he'd seen what Huntington was capable of, and the influence he held. On his arrival at school, Richard was advised that his scholarship had been withdrawn, and was then escorted from the premises. His parents said it 'was for the best'. Huntington had gotten to them as well.

That didn't stop the young man from attempting to contact Alexandra. He spoke to her one last time, and it wasn't a pleasant exchange. Richard had continued to scream into the phone long after she'd ended the call. The next time he dialed her cell-phone, the number had been disconnected. Richard despised her Father for what had occurred, and as often as he'd thought of Alexandra, he'd contemplated revenge. However, Huntington was good. Richard had learned that all men had secrets, and usually the more power and wealth they possessed, the more debauched those secrets were, however as deep as he'd dug, Richard had been unable to unearth Mr Huntington's. Yet. Richard would need take the risk of approaching Alexandra without the security of any intelligence to be used against her Father if things went awry.

All of that ran through his mind as he slipped through the doorway, and his gaze landed on the slim figure of the woman who stood in the hall. Richard's heart skipped a beat when she turned, and for the first time in years, he laid eyes on Alexandra Huntington. With his vision adjusted to the dimmer light, he saw that his comment had been correct; she'd matured, and appeared to him even more beautiful than she'd ever been. He took a step forward, as if to touch her - to see if she were real - but before he could, her response stopped him in his tracks. Did she really not recognise him?"

As her eyes roamed his body, his remained on her face in an attempt to read her expression. Something in Alexandra's demeanour had his nerves on edge. The distant tone of her response didn't ring true, and was not how he'd have expected her to greet one of her Father's important guests, if she truly did not know who he was. The anger which had consumed Richard during their last conversation came flooding back as he perceived a deception, and it boiled over when she moved to exit. Although he'd mostly blamed her Father, he'd also been angry at Alexandra for her acquiescence to the man's wishes, and the termination of their relationship, and that had anger had turned to bitterness over time. Richard hadn't comprehended the pressure she must have been under, and he didn't think about that now. All he could recall, as she attempted to ignore him, was how he'd been made to feel that night, and determined that he was not to be dismissed again. Not until he'd said his piece. As Alexandra reached for the door, a hand flashed out to to grab her wrist. "'Someone like me, what does that mean? Did your Father finally manage to poison your mind, or did he steal your memory at the same time he took your independence?"

Richard's voice was harsh as he tightened his grip on her wrist, and dragged her away from the exit. With more force than intended, he shoved her against the side wall, and pinned Alexandra's body with his own. How long since they'd been this close? He could feel her warmth through the fabric of the dress, but that was just a brief thought - a flashback to their good times together - and quickly forgotten as his eyes bore into hers. "Because that's what he always wanted, wasn't it?" Richard almost spat the words out as the fingers of his free hand cupped either side of her jaw, and he twisted her head to face the doorway; outside of which mingled stuffy old hypocrites, and boring politicians, whose only concerns were power, money and reputation.

"Not a daughter to love, but a servant he doesn't have to pay; one who makes him look good, and enhances his reputation by pandering to rich, influential friends, and faking interest in tedious conversations. One who wouldn't dare display independence, or to express any thoughts or desires not first explicitly approved by him; that could upset the applecart, and derail his political aspirations. It's a small price to pay though, isn't it Alexandra?" Richard pulled her head back around to face him, and leaned in closer. "Because we both know what you receive as a reward." One eyebrow cocked, and he paused for effect. "Your doting Father will find you a husband; one he deems worthy of entry to the great Huntington family, and who can help further his ambitions. Then you get to spend the rest of your life serving your husband, just as you've been taught. Without question. Exactly like all those other pathetic wives out there. No wonder the men take mistresses."

Richard's anger abated as his tirade - one which had been on his mind for years, and whilst harsh, and possibly incorrect, was what he truly thought - came to an end, and his tone became one of resignation. He released his hold on Alexandra, took a step back, and motioned to the exit. "You remember me alright. I've never blamed you for what happened; we were young, but now we're both adults. If you still haven't found the courage to stand up to your parents, how could I expect you to have enough to own up to your past." Richard motioned towards the door a second time."Leave, if that's what you want Alexandra, and pretend I never existed. Go make Daddy happy, and fulfill the purpose for which you were born."

It had shocked Alexandra to see Richard standing in her family’s manor so boldly, and her first reaction was to shut down and show as little emotion as possible. Thinking back to how their relationship had ended always left her feeling poorly, and so she tried not to think of him at all if it was possible. That was difficult sometimes when she was reminded of those times in the past when they used to make fun of how stuffy and fake high society was; and here she was acting like those she despised. It wasn’t something she liked to be reminded of, but for this socialite it was her father’s way or the highway. Initially when her father had discovered their illicit relationship he had approached her and demanded that she stop seeing Richard immediately.

Alexandra was young and still impulsive at that time, however, and had managed to meet with her lover a few more times before her father started having her followed. He had been waiting for her the last time she tried to sneak back into the manor late at night, and he’d had an ultimatum waiting for her. No daughter of his would be allowed to associate with someone so far below their class. If she wanted to continue to sully their good name she could, and be cut off from the family will and fortune. That threat had given her pause, made her beg and plead with her cold father to let her be happy for once. When it became apparent she was considering actually giving up her fortune he pulled out the trump card, admitting to her that he was doing this because he had evidence that the only thing Richard loved about her was her family’s money.

That was enough to shock her into acquiescence with her father’s wishes. Alexandra was heartbroken that she had been deceived in such a way, but some things suddenly began to make sense. How he always wanted to see her family’s home, despite her reluctance. It wasn’t in her nature to believe everything her father said so blindly, but she’d been pursued before by guys just looking for money and she was ashamed to have been fooled again. When her father demanded she cut off all contact Alexandra finally agreed, and that was the last she’d seen of Richard. Until his reappearance, tonight. She could hardly believe how bold he was to simply stroll into her home in the middle of a party, and she had to try and minimize the time the two of them spent together.

When she’d brushed past him to the doorway the heiress expected him to be a gentleman and let her pass, however Alexandra was stunned when he grabbed her wrist and bodily dragged her away from the exit. “What are you doing?” She hissed out at him, rather breathless at the feel of his hard body pressing hers against the wall. Yet another thing that had changed over the years. She had forgotten she wasn’t dealing with a boy any longer. His words felt like physical blows as they pierced her, and she wondered how he always managed to hit so close to home. Alexandra tried to jerk her chin out of his grasp, but he held onto her firmly. Blue eyes locked defiantly onto his, one eyebrow cocked to mirror him to show that despite the truth that rang in his words she wasn’t going to meekly slink away like he evidently expected her to.

“I’m not doing this to land a husband. I already have one jailor in my life.” The heiress tried to stay calm and collected, but she couldn’t help her voice from escalating. Dryly she chuckled to herself. “If that’s what I wanted I would have been long gone from here.” Instead of scurrying to the exit this time it was she who reached out and grabbed Richard’s forearm, her manicured nails digging into the tailored fabric as she tugged him down the hallway. “Come with me.” Furtively she glanced back at the doorway, knowing she had been gone too long from the party and that someone was no doubt looking for her. It would be an absolute disaster for anyone to find them alone together, and her father would be livid to find Richard in his home uninvited. Clearly they had some unfinished business to attend to, and she’d rather do it somewhere private.

That hallway branched off into another corridor, and she ushered him through a nondescript door. This room was small, obviously an unused study, decorated with a few chairs, a sofa and a desk. The lock clicked decisively behind her as she turned to face him. “What are you really doing here?” Alexandra couldn’t believe he had gone through all of the trouble of sneaking into a private event just to give her a piece of his mind, when a sudden terrifying though struck her. “Is this about the photos? You know I disposed of those. If it’s hush money you want I assure you that nothing will be forthcoming.” When they had been young and foolish she’d sent him some racy photos of herself, but then she’d gotten nervous and deleted them. Even a whisper about nude photos of herself would cause a scandal for the family, and she didn’t even know yet what it was her former lover did for a career.

It had never been about money, or Richard attempting to ingratiate himself with the Huntington's. He hadn't been aware of who her Father was when he'd met Alexandra, and the very reason he'd been drawn to the girl was not because of her looks, but for how different she'd been in comparison to the plethora of rich, privileged bitches at the new school. The one's who'd flaunted their own wealth at the same time they'd derided his lack of it. Only after they'd commenced dating had he discovered that the Huntington's were 'old money', and one of the most influential families in the State; in those days Richard hadn't taken much interest in politics. The desire to tour her residence had begun after Alexandra had pointed it out, towering above the city, one night when he'd dropped her off at a street corner far enough away that his dilapidated old Ford wouldn't be noted, and had been driven by nothing more than curiosity. The youth had never previously laid eyes on such a palace, let alone stepped foot inside one.

As he stood there with Alexandra pinned to wall, only a closed door between them and the ostentatious ballroom, Richard wondered how he would have reacted if she'd acquiesced to his wish. Would he have been intimidated by the grandeur, and begun to believe that what the others who taunted him for his ten dollar sneakers, non brand-name jeans, and department store t-shirts, said, was true? That he was beneath them? One thing he'd be forever grateful for was that those words were never uttered by Alexandra herself. Not even through the many arguments they'd had, nor in the final telephone conversation.

Though their fights often become heated; Alexandra had always been feisty; they'd not once become physical, and Richard wouldn't have dared treat her as he did in the hall. However, that was then, and this was now. Richard had grown into a man, and his profession brought him into contact with violence, depravity, hypocrisy and perversion. Although he did not perpetrate the acts - Richard was simply the conduit through which knowledge of them passed - he'd become inured, and hardened. "Stopping you from running away again. Scream for your Father, if you like Alexandra. He's just outside." Richard hissed as she hit the wall, and he unleashed his tirade.

The man's breathing was heavy when he released his grip, and awaited an explosion. He expected her to shriek and rant, or to leave and slam the door in face, whilst possibly calling for help, so when instead she took hold of his arm and directed him to follow, he was surprised. A mirthless chuckle escaped Richard's lips when she referred to her father as a jailor, however any response was stymied by the way she glanced at the hall door. Alexandra was obviously concerned about being discovered, and as bad as that would be for her, it would be much more of a problem for Richard. He remained silent, and allowed her to lead him in the opposite direction.

The door clicked shut, and Richard took a moment to appraise the room before Alexandra's words drew his attention. He turned slowly to face her, and his jaw slackened as the accusation sunk in. The naked photo's he still possessed, but hadn't viewed in years. It didn't seem appropriate. "Do you really believe that I'm here to blackmail, that I'm capable of stooping so low? Or is that Daddy talking?" His head shook in disbelief, and contempt invaded his tone as he reached her. "If my intent was to extort, I could have done that from afar. I have no use of your Father's wealth. Life's been good to me, and even if it hadn't, I wouldn't debase myself by taking anything from that man." Except for his daughter.

No other experience impacted the remainder of your life as that of your first love, and the manner in which their relationship ended had haunted every other one of Richard's since; he needed to exorcise the ghost of Alexandra. "I came to say goodbye, in person. An opportunity you couldn't muster up the courage to provide me with at the time." That was unfair, but in Richard's mind she could have, should have found a way, regardless of what pressure was brought to bear. "I want you to look me in the eye, and tell me that the decision was yours, and yours only, and that you never contemplate what could have been, or wish you could go back."

The sense of pain and frustration Richard had felt all those years ago returned to reignite his anger, and he grabbed her left wrist, and roughly jerked her towards him. Simultaneously, he stepped forward, and his free hand shot out to grip the hair at the nape of Alexandra's neck. The waft of perfume he received, when the swiftness of his actions caused their bodies to collide, momentarily took him back to the first time they'd made love, and how her scent had so enticed him. He attempted to push that thought aside, and used the fingers curled in her tresses to force her eyes up to meet his. Richard spoke through gritted teeth. "Then you can tell me why you're here. You refer to him as your jailor, but there's no bars on the doors, and you're not kept chained in the basement. Is it because you're too frightened to make your escape, or too weak? Why do you remain in this prison by choice?"

Richard's darkened, narrowed pupils remained locked on the woman as he paused, then leaned in close enough so that their noses almost touched. He enunciated his next words slowly and clearly in a whisper. "Are you going to give me the truth, Alexandra. Or shall I just fuck you one final time for prosperity before I leave, and hope that allows me to move on?"

She’d seen him at their school on that first day, her friends whispering into her ear nasty things about the poor boy that had been let in. How could the administration deign to do such a thing, when he clearly didn’t belong? Alexandra let those girls consider her to be a friend because they came from old and respected families like her own, but she didn’t actually like them and certainly didn’t put any weight on their venomous words. There was something different about Richard that drew her in immediately, with his boyish charm and easy going demeanor. He was so different from the arrogant guys that populated the school, and she couldn’t help but love him even more for showing her how "normal" people lived. Whenever the topic inevitably turned to him Alexandra would skillfully change the subject, not wanting to hear him being insulted in addition to keeping their budding relationship a secret.

Like any couple they fought; the exchanges often becoming heated due to her stubborn nature and natural feistiness but the socialite never feared that he would ever make their spats physical. Alexandra was used to dealing with emotional and mental abuse from her family, but she never would have allowed herself to be manhandled. Clearly that was something else that had changed since they both matured, yet strangely enough being held so closely by him sent a thrill down her spine. Earlier she’d been dreading that night’s event and having to playact for all of her father’s guests; never would she ever have imagined that instead she’d be waylaid by her former lover. The heiress had changed over the years as well though, and instead of screaming or lashing out as he no doubt expected her to she knew their time was better spent settling this elsewhere.

Alexandra didn’t know exactly what it was that triggered her sudden paranoia about the naked photos she had shared with Richard so long ago, but she was relieved to see the look of surprise upon his faced when she brought up that touchy topic. If even a whisper about the possibility of there being scandalous photos of a politicians daughter got out her reputation would be ruined, let alone what would happen to their family name if those photos ever surfaced. It wasn’t something she thought of often, but every once in a while she would wonder if indeed every copy had been destroyed. “What else am I supposed to believe, then?” It irked her that he could come waltzing back into her home; into her life; and rattle her so easily. It was true, the thought of a scandal was what motivated her to question him about the photos. “You sneak into this party and accost me after all this time, and I’m supposed to think you’re here on goodwill?”

Her voice began to steadily climb in volume as her anger grew, and she was thankful to have moved them to a more private location. Alexandra gasped in outrage when he accused her of being a coward, her cheeks flushing pink. “How dare you! After that last phone call when you shouted at me?! What would make you think I’d ever want to see you again?” That wasn’t fair to him either, as she had no idea that her father had sent his thugs to make sure their relationship stayed over. After all of this time it was a mixture of shame and pride that kept her from admitting that she’d let her father dictate the end of their affair. Evidently their tempers were getting the best of both of them as he reached for her again, surprising the socialite and causing her to breathe in sharply at their proximity. The custom rose and sandalwood scented perfume she wore mingled with the familiar scent of his aftershave, sending her back in her own now painful memories.

The tense grip on the nape of her neck startled Alexandra from her reverie, and she tilted her chin to meet his gaze squarely. She was growing weary of their sniping back and forth and was actually considering being honest with him about why she continued to stay. And then he pushed her further, their bodies pressed together so intimately that her breasts brushed his chest when she breathed and if she moved her face fractionally their lips would have met. His whispered words stunned her, and before she even spoke her hand flashed up to meet his cheek with force, blue eyes sparkling with anger. “Our affair is long over Richard; you don’t have that privilege any longer.”

He hadn't considered how his sudden reappearance would affect Alexandra, and it was only when accused of extortion that Richard realised the shock it must have caused, and immediately intuited the source of her anxiety. Why else would he have returned, except to create trouble? Their relationship was over, and long forgotten, it could only be for money. If the images were released in the public domain, Alexandra's name would be dragged through the mud, as would her Father's, and he could only the imagine the price Mr Huntington would force her to pay. However, the fact he understood from where the fear emanated, did nothing to provide Richard solace; to the contrary, it only further enraged him. Once he'd believed the girl would have entrusted him with her life, however the ease in with which she'd so quickly assumed him capable of using their previous relationship for personal gain made it appear as if that long-held conviction had been but a mirage.

With their bodies touching; Alexandra's sweet sandalwood perfume in his nostrils, the soft swell of her breasts pressed to his chest when she moved, her lips almost close enough to kiss, and gorgeous blue eyes meeting his; desire rose in Richard, and melded with anger. A desire to punish Alexandra Huntington for his pain, as at the same time, he once again claimed the woman as his. The threat slipped from his mouth without conscious thought, and he immediately wished the words back. Her question reverberated in his mind, and Richard knew that he couldn't answer it with full honesty. Was he really here to say a final goodbye, or had he come in an attempt to rekindle their relationship, or was his presence for another purpose entirely? Whatever his motivations, threatening to take the woman you once loved, by force, was not the way to achieve anything good.

However, it was too late for an apology; the fire had been lit in Alexandra, and Richard felt the slap before he became aware it was to come. The man gasped in surprise, and his head rocked to the side; the suddenness of her strike causing the fingers buried in Alexandra's hair to tighten their grip, and almost tear strands of it from her scalp. Instinctively, he released his hold on her wrist, and swung that arm up, knuckles directed at her cheek. Richard's back-handed slap contained enough force to bring the woman to her knees, however just before it connected, he regained control of his actions, and pulled it; a half inch from her face. He laughed without mirth, and his eyes bore into hers. "I guess I gave up the fucking right to care, too?" Then Richards arm dropped to her shoulder, and he forcefully shoved her body away. A palm lifted to his cheek, which burned from her slap, and rubbed. "At least I see Daddy hasn't beaten all the old spirit out of you. Give it time. He will."

Richard held her gaze for a few moments, then turned his back; he needed to put some distance between them before he committed an act that could never be forgiven. A moment later, he found himself beside the expensive oak desk, fists clenched at his side. He focused his attention on Alexandra, and when he spoke, though his words remained harsh, most of the anger had faded. "Why did I scream at you?"

The man paused to take a deep breath, and closed his eyes. When they reopened, he exhaled, and his tone softened. "I never had the chance to tell you what your Father was capable of; about the visit I'd received from his thugs. How one held me, arms pinned, as the other beat me with his fists until I threw up, then kicked me in the ribs as I did. Or the phone call afterwards as I lay gasping for air, from the great and respected Mr Huntington himself, where he assured me if I attempted to continue my dalliance with his daughter, the next time his employees were required to visit, I'd be taken away in an ambulance. Or a hearse. My scholarship was summarily withdrawn the next day, and I wasn't allowed on school premises. That night, when finally you answered your phone, you declared it was over, without even offering me a choice. Why did I scream Alexandra, why the hell do you think I screamed?"

The humiliation of being unable to protect himself from that beating would forever burn in his Richard's soul, and his voice cracked as he remembered it with perfect clarity. However, then he'd been only a boy, and not the man he'd grown into. A man who'd long since vowed to never be made to cower in fear, or bow to anyone, ever again, as long as he drew breath, and it took only a moment for him to regain his composure. "I don't know how he persuaded you to end our relationship, or what lies he told, but I guarantee you, Alexandra, they were lies. Your Father's the criminal, not I, and always has been. A lying, scheming, perverted asshole." Richard's hand flew up to motion in the direction of the ballroom, and his voice rose as he walked towards her. "I may not have the evidence yet, but I will. He's no different from any of the other hypocrites out there. If you only knew the truth, just being in the same room as any of them would make your skin crawl, and you wouldn't remain in this house another minute."

Then suddenly Richard's arm dropped, and his mouth clamped shut. His professional success, and personal safety, relied on anonymity, and he'd just exposed knowledge of her Father's associates activities to the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the State. It was possible Alexandra had never loved him, and was to be forever Daddy's girl, and the man stood less than a hundred feet away, with only two closed doors between them. Richard mentally scolded his carelessness, and quickly changed tack as he again came face-to-face with his former lover, and locked his piercing blue eyes on her own. "You're still to answer my questions Alexandra."

To say that Alexandra had been shocked by Richard’s vulgar words was an understatement. The gently raised heiress did not often hear such sentiments; or at least they weren’t said to her face. The men that she associated with now treated her like the princess they believed her to be and acted like she was made of glass. It was tiring at times, yet she couldn’t deny the secret thrill that ran through her at the thought of one last tryst with her first love. However brief that spark of lust, Alexandra couldn’t control her fiery nature and did not regret one iota the satisfying contact that her palm made with his cheek. Her patience with his sudden appearance and demands had run out, and it felt good to let him know that she wasn’t going to bow to his intimidation. Richard had never once raised his hand to her during their numerous arguments in the past, and she hadn’t expected him to start now.

A strained gasp left her lips as the motion of her strike caused his hand to tighten at the nape of her neck, the golden blonde strands pulled painfully. Her strike wasn’t a planned one, and she hadn’t exactly had much time to consider what his reaction might be. Perhaps he would let her go, and realize he’d made a mistake in coming? Alexandra certainly hadn’t expect him to retaliate, her blue eyes widening in alarm as his knuckles approached her delicate cheek bone. In that moment as he stopped himself the socialite didn’t even dare to breathe, shocked in silence by his reaction. Clearly they had both been changed by their time apart, although she wasn’t sure if it was for the better for either of them. She took a wobbly step backward as he pushed her, breath flooding into her lungs in a ragged gasp as she braced herself against the nearby bookcase. What had just happened? She wondered to herself, watching him warily now. How had they almost come to blows in such a short amount of time? Love, or hate, were powerful motivators it seemed.

Briefly she considered leaving the room and having Richard escorted from the party by the meager security they employed, but that thought was dismissed quickly. It would be bad for both of them in that scenario. Before she could think of a tactful way to make him leave her attention was redirected to the tale he told her of Huntington Sr’s bodyguards paying him a visit and then how she’d subsequently rubbed dirt into the wound by ending their relationship that day. The flush of anger drained from her cheeks as she regarded him in horror, not wanting to believe that her father was capable of such an act but knowing instinctively that he had done worse before. It seemed laughable now to offer an apology after so much time had passed, and she knew that wouldn’t erase the pain both of them had endured. Silently she regarded him as he approached again, trying to mentally build walls to protect herself but failing miserably as his blue eyes stared into her own. There was just something about one’s first love that was almost hypnotizing, and this time she couldn’t doge his questions.

“I’ll apologize if that’s what you want to hear.” Her voice was quiet, but not subdued as her chin lifted and she met his gaze. Alexandra didn’t specify if she was referring to her slap or what her father had done to him. “I ended our relationship because my father told me you were only interested in our family’s wealth, and not actually me.” She was too ashamed to admit that he had also threatened to cut her off, and being young and foolish she had believed everything her father had told her blindly. “I had no idea…” She had to pause as a wave of nausea rolled through her at the thought of him being physically harmed as a result of their affair. Shakily one hand rose to run through her hair as she cleared her throat. “I had no idea that he’d sent his bodyguards after you..and also about your scholarship. There’s nothing I can say now that will fix the past, but I do want you to know that I had no idea what he did to you.” She left it unsaid that if she had, perhaps things would have turned out differently for them.

How could he even have even contemplated striking this woman only moments ago? Richard's gaze roamed over Alexandra as she stumbled against the bookcase, and he instinctively perceived the answer. Alexandra was the only woman he'd ever truly loved; one of the few people capable of bringing out emotions, and aspects of his character, which normally remained dormant. Through their relationship it had mostly been positive attributes, but within Richard lay a darkness which rarely saw the light of day. If Alexandra hadn't slapped him, he may well have carried through with his threat, and departed the Huntington mansion with more regrets than with which he'd entered. And in handcuffs.

As he revealed what had occurred - the first time he'd ever spoken of the incident - Richard was uncertain of the reaction it would engender. Would Alexandra accept her Father capable of such actions, or would her upbringing, and his domineering influence, have led her to believe the entire Huntington family could do no wrong, and it was Richard who lied. Whatever response was to come, a weight lifted from Richard's shoulders with the words. Frustration had been the major source of his anger towards his ex-lover, generated by his inability to relate his side of the story, and the knowledge that Alexandra hadn't all the facts at her disposal.

If the Huntington family hadn't been the subject of considerable media exposure, the passage of time may erased Alexandra from his mind, or at least enabled him to view their adolescent tryst through rose-coloured glasses. However, what was, couldn't be changed. With their wealth and fame, they moved in different circles from Richard - circles to which he'd never receive an offer to join -, hidden behind ten-foot high walls, and private telephone lines, unable to be reached, yet still on public display. The constant references to Alexandra in the media meant she'd always remained in the forefront of Richard's mind. As did her great and respected Father, who stared up from the front page of the newspaper, with a smile on his face that appeared to deliberately mock. The man spouted political bullshit, and uttered stances on morals and family values the voters lapped up, which Richard knew from painful experience to be untrue. A leopard never changed its spots.

His expression softened as he reached Alexandra, the threat of violence being only one wrong word away no longer a possibility, and when she met his gaze Richard inclined his head to indicate his acceptance of her apology, for whatever reason it was given. He remained silent, even though the pause she took to run her hand through her hair and regain composure, made him want to provide solace, and offer an apology of his own. Richard wasn't the only one to have been hurt, but he'd been too much of a selfish prick to have ever taken the time to comprehend how Alexandra must have felt. Damn Mr Huntington.

That the man had lied to his own daughter, and accused her boyfriend of only being interested in their wealth did not surprise Richard in the slightest. When Alexandra finished speaking, he shook his head, and reached up to cup her chin in the palm of one hand. His voice was gentle. "It was your Father's doing. We were both young, and I never truly believed you were aware, even if I did apportion blame."

Richard took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly before he continued. "That's what burned. I was certain you were deceived, and I was never given the opportunity to defend myself. You asked why I came? I came to clear the air, and to know that in the future whenever I see your image, or hear the Huntington name, I won't be wracked with regret and remorse. Or guilt; that I didn't protect you from your Father's dominating will, and fight with all of my strength to save what we had." Richard paused as the words caught in his throat. He'd always imagined that he'd let Alexandra down, and should have done more. But in reality, what could he have done? Stormed the gates of the school, and demanded he be allowed to see her. Entered the family mansion, unseen, in the dead of night, and stolen his lover away?

Richard quickly re-gathered his thoughts, and the pad of his thumb brushed her lower lip. "I've never forgotten you, and I doubt I ever will. It's possible one of the reasons I'm here is to attempt to win you back; I can't fully explain my motivations. Maybe too much time has passed, and what initially brought us together no longer exists; neither of us are who we used to be. But what I do know, Alexandra, is that I'm no longer a boy, and I refuse to allow my happiness to be dictated by anyone. I make my own choices, and I hope that you're able to make yours. If you wish me to leave you in peace, I will, and you can rest assured that I intend you no harm."

Richard continued to glide his thumb across Alexandra's lip as he spoke, then the back of his hand drifted down her graceful neck; the touches not designed to influence or arouse, but because it had been so long since he'd had the opportunity to caress her. A good memory to take with him if this were to be their final moment together. "Would you prefer that I disappear from your life, or are you willing to take a chance, and allow us to become reacquainted, as adults this time, and risk the wrath of your Father?" Richard's eyes held hers, and the softness of his tone belied the surety with which he spoke the next words. "He doesn't frighten me Alexandra, not now that I can fight back."

Their affair has always been a passionate one, as first love usually is. Despite of or in spite of her stubbornness that often led to arguments, Alexandra would have sworn before a jury that Richard would have never laid a finger on her in anger no matter how heated their fights became. And she would have never dared to strike him either. In the aftermath of this blowup she wouldn’t deny that she was shaken up, insecurity and confusion evident on her features. Her blue eyes appraised him across the small room, wondering what had happened in their time apart to make them so volatile together. While they may have argued about petty things when they were younger there had never been such an undercurrent of rage that lurked beneath the surface, just waiting for a spark to ignite. Evidently she had been that spark, and now she had to be careful not to get burned further.

To say that Alexandra was shocked by Richard’s following admission would be a gross understatement. As he explained in stark detail what had been done to him as a result of their relationship she could feel her lips parting in surprise, those blue eyes wide and luminous as she tried to imagine what he had gone through. She thought she had suffered from his betrayal, but in reality it had been her father who had betrayed both of them. Richard needn’t have worried that she would not believe him, the socialite had seen up close what her father was capable of and had just chosen to turn a blind eye over the years. Her own life went smoother when she complied with his wishes, but knowing how far he had gone to end her first real relationship made her furious. Alexandra had a lot of practice with suppressing her less pleasant emotions, however, so she tried not to let that anger show.

The caution that she had initially felt after being nearly struck by Richard seemed to melt away with his admittance of what had happened to him, and she didn’t pull away when he approached her again. The heiress wanted to interject after he cupped her chin, but she knew how important it was for him to tell his side of the story. Now hearing and understanding what the true reason was for his sudden reappearance into her life she began to feel foolish for jumping to such farfetched conclusions, and she felt embarrassed for accusing him of only coming here to blackmail her when he was just trying to clear his conscience. Alexandra found herself leaning into his touch, just that tiny swipe of his fingertip against her rosy lips and the now soft touch of his hand on her neck nearly transporting her back to a happier time when they weren’t at odds. His words resonated through her, and she wanted so badly to tell him that she didn’t care what her father thought anymore. But she’d be lying, and there had already been enough of that in their relationship.

She let out a shaky breath as she appraised him, her hand rising to gently touch the slightly reddened mark on his cheek where she had struck him. “I don’t even know what to say, Richard. Would I like us to try and be acquaintances, or perhaps even friends?” The socialite paused, her hand sliding lower to brush the lapel of his suit and feel the expensive fabric. It was evident that he was doing well for himself, but there was still a wide divide among those with old money and new. “Absolutely, I would. But my father still controls me, no matter how much I wish it was the contrary.” It was a painful and embarrassing fact to admit, but it was the truth nonetheless. “I’m his little puppet, and his grip would tighten even more if he knew you’d even stepped foot in this house.” Her voice was bitter as she admitted that to him, her hand dropping limply to her side. One particular reason for his visit seemed to stick in her mind, however, drawing a slight smile to her lips. “You should also know I’m sort of in a relationship right now…” If he’d seen the recent magazines then he would know she had been seen out with James Astor occasionally, the son of one of the oldest families in the city and match highly approved by her father.

After he'd recovered from the initial shock of Alexandra's strike, and resisted his impulse to retaliate, Richard had found himself almost pleased that she'd slapped him. He'd been concerned that Mr Huntington's influence over the preceding years would have taken all the fight out of her, particularly when it came to men, but it appeared his ex-lover hadn't lost all of her fire and passion, or become completely subservient. Richard felt a brief flare at hope that it hadn't been just the threat which had brought about her reaction, but that somewhere buried deep inside Alexandra lay the same emotions and memories of what they'd had, and lost, that had caused him to issue it.

His decision to move away appeared to ease the tension, and as he'd relayed the details of his past, Richard could see that Alexandra was affected by the revelations. His caresses when the distance closed between them, emanated from a desire to console, without words, as much as they did from his need for physical contact with his ex-lover. Richard couldn't recall ever having opened himself up before to anyone in the manner he'd just done with Alexandra.

His head tilted to press more firmly against the palm of her hand, and he lifted his arm to take hold of her slender wrist, and keep her touch against his face. However, before he could, Richard was distracted by her words, and his palm came to rest on her shoulder. A half-smile formed on his lips when she acknowledged that she'd like for them to become re-acquainted, but it soon disappeared when the conversation turned to her Father, then James Astor. The room seemed to shrink and become eerily silent as a knot formed in his stomach. Richard had read about the relationship, and that may well have been the trigger for his decision to sneak into the Huntington residence and finally confront her, but to have it confirmed by Alexandra herself took his breath away, and he had to avert his gaze. "I know." The words were issued through gritted teeth, and he bit his tongue before anything further could spill from his lips.

Richard's first instinct had been to mock James Astor - in his mind, anyone approved of by Mr Huntington was not a worthy suitor for his daughter - however to deride her choice of partner; and it could be Alexandra's choice; would serve no purpose. Richard had no intentions of forcing himself, unwanted, back in to her life, and if anything were to come of the night, it would be Alexandra's decision. Any obvious display of bitterness and jealousy would just make it easier for her to not decide in his favour, and although he'd been caught off-guard with his ex-lover's admission of the relationship, her initial response still provided a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. James Astor was a subject best avoided, at least for the time being, and Richard attempted to not let his true feelings show as he stepped away, and changed the subject.

"What I will never comprehend is that you continue to you allow your father to control you, even though you freely admit that you wish it were different." Richard spoke over his shoulder as walked to the desk, and rifled through the drawers. There was a brief pause as he located a pen and note-pad, deposited the pad on the desk and began to write. "Yet, you do nothing to change the status quo. I have no concept of what it's like to be in your shoes, or what you're forced to endure, but you'll never be free just by wishing it were so." Then his eyes lifted and bored into Alexandra's. "If you truly want something bad enough, you need to take action." The declaration unsoken; just as he had that night. Richard's focus remained on Alexandra as, finished writing, he ripped the top page from the pad, dropped the implements in to the drawer from which they'd been removed, and approached her with arm extended.

"My cell number, and address." As he awaited to see if she'd accept, his free hand lifted to brush Alexandra's cheek. "I'm not going to reveal my profession. Not here, not yet." The yet, uttered in the optimistic hope that this wouldn't be the final occasion on which they spoke. "But trust me when I say that if you ever do decide that claiming your independence is worth the risk of angering your Father, I can help, and keep you safe. Every man has his weakness; Blair Huntington is not God, and he's not omnipotent; no matter what you've been raised to believe. You can either spend the next sixty years dancing to another's tune, whether it be his, or your future husband's, or you can control your own destiny."

Richard paused, and his fingers moved to play with the hair at the nape of her neck, the gesture matched by a more gentle tone of voice. "However, I didn't come in an attempt to bend you to my will, or force you to acquiesce to my demands; that'd make me no better than the man I despise. But I wonder?" The statements he was about to make were purely guesswork, based on intuition, and the questions not so much ones to be answered, but instead, hopefully contemplated in his absence. "When's the last time you dared be yourself; the intelligent, bright, and opinionated woman, whose independence and spontaneity I fell in love with? Is she still there Alexandra, or have you left her behind? Was she not worth fighting to save?"

He raised a questioning eyebrow, then his gaze lifted to the exit. Richard had given it his best shot, and regardless of what lay ahead between them, he'd no longer need be wracked with guilt, or blame himself for not having tried. His hand dropped from her face to his side. "Only you can decide what makes you content. If it's your Family, James Astor, and continuing on as you are, I'll need to accept that, and move on. If not, call, come visit, even if only to talk." His eyes returned to his ex-lover, and he pressed his contact details more firmly against her fingers, and motioned to the door with a nod his head. "You'd best return to the function before they send a search party. I'll find my own way out."

Physical violence was not something that was familiar to Alexandra, which was why she had been briefly overwhelmed that their quarrel had escalated so quickly. Verbal abuse and emotional blackmail were things she had learned to navigate as she got older, mostly due to her father. Richard may have thought her free will and speech would have been stripped away long ago just by being a member of such a prominent family, however she had just gotten better at hiding her opinions on the inside and being outwardly agreeable. His unexpected appearance seemed to be the last drop to open the floodgates, however, and even as she clock ticked the heiress wasn’t sure how she could just go back out into the party and pretend that she was unaffected. There was so much baggage that came along with knowing her, and she had been somewhat surprised that her former lover even wanted anything to do with her going into the future.

Alexandra could have understood and forgiven his outburst if he had just wanted to gain some closure and go their separate ways, but she couldn’t deny the immediate sense of pleasure that had welled up when he challenged her. He was so completely different from anyone she knew, and it was an indulgence to be treated like a normal person instead of being put up on a pedestal to be constantly scrutinized. She had been enjoying the shy intimacy between them as they spoke, and she was contrite to see him become affected by her admission. Lexi wasn’t one to lie, however, and she knew that sooner or later if they continued to gravitate towards each other something was bound to happen. Better to be up front about the fact that she was in a relationship, instead of making it a lie of omission. If she was being honest with herself the only reason she even agreed to go out with James was to get her father to cease his complaining about her single status, and James was a convenient option.

Curiously she watched as he walked over to the desk and pulled out a pad of paper, one questioning blonde brow cocked. The details of why she remained under the thumb of her father were too numerous to explain at the present, especially with the clock ticking on how long she’d been gone from the ballroom. Alexandra didn’t resist as he passed the slip of paper to her, her fingers curling around it securely. He had piqued her interest about his profession, and his confidence in the admission that he could help her get away and be safe. She may not know the dirty details of how her father operated, but from her own observations and what Richard had admitted to her she knew it would be tough to truly escape him. Even a light touch was enough to tend tingles down her spine, but she resisted the urge to reach out to him in the knowledge that they would probably never leave if she did. His words evidently struck a chord within her at the contemplative look that descended over her features, but she was also scared. Could she dare to be that same girl she had once been? “I’ll be in touch.”

Alexandra didn’t bother to offer her own contact information, knowing that if had managed to crash her family’s event that he had ways to find out what he wanted to know. The rest of the evening had her set on edge, wondering if he would be discovered. She was practiced enough not to show her unease, and after making up a plausible excuse for her absence the rest of the night flowed uneventfully. In the next few days his words haunted her, plaguing her and making the socialite wonder if he truly could help her be free from her family’s toxic influence. It took her a few more days to work up the nerve to finally make a decision, but once her mind was made up she didn’t waste any more time. Lexi didn’t know what Richard’s schedule would be like or if he was even at home, but once she made a decision she sent him a short text message stating that she was coming to see him. Despite the fact that there was nothing wrong with going to visit a friend the socialite took extra care to dress casually, not wanting to draw extra attention to herself.

Nonchalantly she departed the family’s mansion and walked a few blocks away before hailing a taxi, not wanting to risk driving herself and being followed. The thought of seeing him again made her nervous, but she was also curious to see where he lived and what this mysterious career was. The ride was a short one, and all too soon she found herself anxiously sliding out of the car.

Richard found himself unable to meet Alexandra's gaze; afraid the hope in his expression would appear too desperate. He wasn't normally an overly emotional man, but this woman had always made him feel alive in a way that couldn't be logically explained, and the exchange in the study proved that she still retained that ability. He wanted her, needed her, so bad that it hurt. Richard swallowed down the lump in his throat, and began to move towards the door, when her words caused his entire body to stiffen, and a jolt of electricity flowed through him. “I’ll be in touch."

He'd anticipated the old Lexi would still be buried inside, but what Richard had not been certain of was how deep her feelings for him ran. Had he meant as much to Alexandra back then as she had to him, and would his challenges reignite the spark; the one which dared her to disobey her father; or serve to put further distance between them? He pulled his gaze back to meet hers, and whispered, "I look forward to it.", before he forced himself away from her side, and opened the door.

If he didn't depart now, he never would; not until they were discovered together, and that couldn't be allowed to occur. Not tonight. Richard motioned for Alexandra to leave before him, and watched, silently, as she walked away. After she'd disappeared from sight, he exhaled the breath he'd been holding, exited the room, and turned in the opposite direction. A plan of the Huntington manor had been easy enough to find on the internet, and Richard took care to avoid the ballroom as he found his way to the back entrance. Would she call, or would she not?

***********************************
Five minutes earlier

"Where's my daughter?"

"I'm not sure, Sir."

"Well fucking find her, the Senator wishes to say his goodbyes, and James has been asking after her. NOW"

"Yes Sir."

Thirty-three year old Karl Williams nodded in acquiescence, and waited until Blair Huntington turned his back to swear under his breath. The six-foot four, broad-shouldered, barrel chested man, with the shaved head, knife scar which ran from jaw to cheekbone, and piercing green eyes, looked incongruous dressed in a three-piece woolen suit, and not a man to be ordered around. And that was true; with the exception of Mr Huntington, Karl Williams would have allowed no other man to speak to him in that manner, without reprisals.

If they dared, he would, and could, take them down in a heart-beat. However, working security for Blair Huntington had taught Karl that the man was not one to be disobeyed or trifled with. He had intimate knowledge of what had occurred to past employees who had attempted to do just that. Some had ended up in Hospital; the result of an unfortunate 'accident'; whilst others had simply been forced to relocate to the other side of the country in order to find gainful employment. Huntington's reach was far and wide. However, working for Blair Huntington also had it's advantages; he paid well, and offered a number of not-so-legal employee benefits to those he trusted. Karl Willams was content to follow orders; even if it meant babysitting the man's fucking daughter.

He'd worked for Huntington for almost twelve years, and been there every step of the way to see Alexandria mature from an impetuous teenager into a beautiful young woman. Beautiful in appearance anyway; Karl didn't particularly have much time for her as a person. If truth be told, he considered her a stuck-up, rich bitch, born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and a woman who needed to be taught a lesson. By him. Regardless of whether his opinions of Alexandra were based on fact, Karl's bitterness towards her, though kept well-hidden, had grown exponentially over the years. Having a hard-on for the better part of a decade for a woman who was untouchable could do that to a man, and Alexandra Huntington was the very definition of untouchable.

His inclination when he entered the corridor, and heard the voices which emanated from the closed study; definitely those of Alexandra, and an unidentified male; was to barge on in and drag the woman out kicking and screaming. What would her Father think, what would James think, when advised that she'd been discovered locked away, alone, in the study with a man who wasn't her suitor? Karl would enjoy the scene as she attempted to explain herself, and the punishment which would be sure to follow regardless of her excuses or innocence. However, animal instinct told him not to, and as a ray of light crept up the hallway Karl Williams stepped into an alcove, and remained motionless. Alexandra Huntington walked right past, so close he could have reached out and brushed her arm with his fingertips.

Karl waited until she'd re-entered the ballroom, then stepped out from the alcove to follow the man who'd exited after her, and walked in the opposite direction. Something about him seemed familiar, and Karl searched his memory for where he'd seen him before, but it wouldn't come. What was obvious to Karl, was the man wasn't an invited party guest, and his purpose was with Alexandra. Something personal.

As the man snuck out the back door, Karl resisted the temptation to call out, and detain him for questioning. His nerves were on fire, and the nagging sensation that this could provide the opportunity he'd long been waiting for stopped him from doing so. Instead, as the shadowy figure entered a vehicle parked far enough down the street as to not be visible from the Huntington residence, Karl withdrew a notepad and pen and wrote down the licence plate. This was something best kept secret from Blair Huntington whilst Karl undertook his own investigation.

*************************

The days passed slowly for Richard. Each time the phone rang, his heart would race in anticipation of it being Alexandra, but on each occasion he was disappointed. The man was aware that it would require bravery on her behalf to deny her Father, and that it take could a good amount of time for her to steel herself to do so; if she ever did. However as the days progressed, Richard became convinced that his challenges hadn't been enough, and that he'd need to attempt to forget about his ex-lover once and for all. The text, when it finally came, caused his breath to stop, and he stared at the screen for a full five minutes, unable to believe that it was real. For the first time in years, it would be just he and Alexandra, alone.

Richard quickly responded, with just two words, "I'm here", then left the room from where he conducted his business to await Alexandra's arrival. The residence, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, not nearly as luxurious as the Huntington's palace of course, was located in a well-to-do neighbourhood; quiet and peaceful. Richard stood on the front lawn, and heard the vehicle's approach before he saw it.

Dressed casually, in a pair of Levi's, and a white fitted tee, he appraised his ex-lover as she exited the taxi, then a second later was beside her. "I can't believe you made it. Come inside, we have a lot to discuss." The initial excitement faded along with his smile, and Richard felt a chill run down his spine as he placed a hand on the small of Alexandra's back, and guided her to the house. Now that she'd actually come, the reality of the situation and it's potential consequences had begun to sink in.

The sensation of impending dread would only have worsened if Richard had noticed the man who sat inside the black Ford Taurus parked on the street corner; telephoto lens trained on the pair as the front door closed behind them.

It took all of the innate willpower that Alexandra possessed not to look back as she walked down the hallway, her steps echoing as she moved further away from her former lover. She didn’t know what had possessed her to take the slip of paper he had offered her, but something inside of her was curious to see if he really could help liberate her from this fancy prison. And another part of her just wanted to see him again, despite the fact that already in a happy relationship. It was a lucky thing that she didn’t cave in and glance back, however, else she might have seen the hulking shadow of a man hiding in a nearby alcove. The heiress tried not to interact with her father’s “staff” if she could help it, and although nothing terribly improper had occurred between her and Richard in the study it would have been disastrous if Karl had actually barged in on them.

If she had known his true intentions, however, Lexi may have preferred to just get it over with quickly, as if ripping off a band-aid. Now she would be under increased scrutiny, and not even know it. As it was, emerging back into the party was trying enough for her nerves. When she meekly slinked up to her father with an excuse about a problem in the kitchen she could tell that he didn’t quite believe her, but appearances were everything so he wouldn’t dare berate her in front of their guests. Despite her growing discontent brought upon by Richard’s sudden appearance the socialite managed keep her carefully constructed image in place for the remainder of the evening, although she was sorely tested at times by James’ arrogance and growing claims on her presence. The end of the night couldn’t come soon enough, and despite her physical and emotional exhaustion she found it hard to finally drift off to sleep with the myriad of worries that plagued her.

The following days proved even more of a struggle as Alexandra tried to keep up her usual appearances while seriously contemplating leaving her lifestyle behind. She hadn’t voiced this opinion to Richard, but she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to make it out in the real world as a normal person, let alone if she also had to fight her father to do it. But as the days passed, she found that she couldn’t get the “what-ifs” out of her mind, and knew that she would regret it the rest of her life if she didn’t at least find out more from Richard and see him one last time. With the decision finally made her course of action was a swift one, although not swift enough to evade the notice of a certain bodyguard. She was so concentrated on sneaking out and getting to his house that she didn’t even stop to consider that he may not be there, until his text reassured her that he was waiting.

As the taxi finally pulled up to a modest looking house in a nice neighborhood and she slid from the backseat a look of surprise and then pleasure lit up her face as she noticed him waiting for her. Instinctively she stepped closer and brushed her lips against his cheek in greeting, completely unaware of the camera that was capturing their intimate yet chaste greeting. After realizing that may have been a bit forward Lexi stepped backward with a sheepish grin, one shoulder raised in apology. “Sorry about that, it’s a habit.” It was finally sinking in what she was about to attempt, and her nervousness was soon returning to mirror his dampening mood. She let him guide her into the house, blue eyes roaming curiously. “Your house is lovely.” It was obviously a bachelor pad, but it suited him. “I don’t mean to be forward, but I don’t have that much time I can be away. There was a lot you left out last time. Like this mystery profession?” Alexandra was tired of having to watch her words, and it felt wonderful to not beat around the bush.

Karl kept his distance, but didn't allow Alexandra out of his sight for the remainder of the evening, however the woman's demeanour appeared no different from normal. Either the exchange with the intruder had been nothing of import, or Ms Huntington was extremely skilled at maintaining her composure. Most likely the latter, the way the man had exited via the back door had spoken of subterfuge. Karl had run the licence-plate number through a contact at the DMV the next day, but it had come back a blank; registered in the name of a company, owned by a Mr John Smith. An alias if he'd ever heard one, and further to that, no address had been provided, simply a Post Office Box.

With Blair Huntington accompanied by his regular bodyguard, cum chauffeur, during the working week, Karl was left to finalise the security plans, and arrange 'extracurricular activities' for Huntington's imminent visit to Los Angeles. Ostensibly to attend a conference on Gun Control, the planned week would mostly be spent by Mr Huntington fucking women who weren't his wife, in the privacy of a less grand, but still luxurious, manor for which he'd paid cash, away from the glare of publicity which he attracted in his own domain. Karl had in mind a surprise that his employer would be sure to enjoy. As would Karl.

It also allowed him to maintain surveillance on Alexandra, and as she departed the mansion, caught by a camera placed over the front door, and displayed on his laptop monitor, Karl quickly left the comfort of his office. She'd reached the corner when he entered his black Ford Taurus. His heart began to race as, following at a crawl so as not to be noticed, she hailed a taxi a few blocks away. Why not call a limousine service from the mansion, or have one of the staff drive?

His vehicle came to a halt as the taxi pulled up in front of a residence, where a man he recognised as the same from the night of the function walked up to greet her. Karl withdrew his camera, and after surveying both of them with his own eyes, snapped some close up shots, including the kiss, chaste as it was, before their backs were turned. It finally registered where he'd seen the man before, and as the camera dropped to his lap, Karl chortled and shook his head. Richard Fucking Treloar.

Last time he'd seen the kid, he'd been on his knees, throwing up and gasping for air as Karl's steel-capped boot had sunk into his gut. His initial inclination was to step out of the vehicle and give the prick a second beating, even worse than the first, but that thought was quickly discarded. Why announce himself before he had to? Karl had never known Blair Huntington to take such an immediate and instant dislike to anyone as he had with that boy. If he were to discover that O'Meara had re-entered his daughter's life, there'd be hell to pay, and the more liaisons Alexandra had with the asshole, the more control Karl would be able to exert. He idly wondered if the woman enjoyed it rough.

Not that it mattered, Alexandra wouldn't be given a choice. What Karl did know, however, was that he'd wouldn't be calling her Ms Huntington when he screwed the bitch six ways to Sunday. Unless it was to mock.

************************************************
Richard returned the kiss to Alexandra's cheek, and pressed his palm more firmly to the small of her back. Though his demeanour had changed, and he'd begun to feel a sense of foreboding, he enjoyed the touch and the feel of her warm skin through the fabric, and was reluctant to let go when they entered the house.

He nodded in recognition of the compliment, and his gaze followed hers around the room. "Thanks, it's all I need." The living room, which they'd entered, was sparsely furnished; two three-seater white leather sofa's, a solid oak coffee table on which sat a couple of personal computing magazines, a ceiling high-book case, stacked to the brim, in one corner, and a large flat-screen television in the other. His eyes returned to her when she spoke again, and a look of disappointment crossed his features. "I was hoping you could stay longer." Richard had missed Alexandra in more ways that one, and he stared silently at his ex-lover for a few seconds before he reigned in his thoughts, took a deep breath, and contemplated her question.

"My profession?" Richard exhaled, and his lips pursed. He'd never revealed it to anyone, and hesitated momentarily before deciding to answer with full honesty. If he couldn't trust Alexandra, who could he trust. "I'm an information broker. I hack networks, personnel files, computer systems, business accounts, government and private databases. You name it, I access it; obtain what information I can, and sell it to the highest bidder." Richard shrugged. "Or I'm contracted to dig up dirt; Politicians, CEO's, Business rivals, the usual suspects. Nothing's secret in cyberspace. I guess I deserved that Technology scholarship after all. It's a pity I didn't get to complete it."

A smile accompanied that last line, intended to break some of the tension, and Richard's eyes darted back and forth in an attempt to read her emotions, then he continued. "Every man has his secrets, Lexi, and your Father is no exception. I'm aware of exactly what his associates are capable of, those men at the function the other night; drugs, prostitutes, embezzlement, bribes, Senator's getting off as they beat women half to death. I have the evidence." Richard's hand idly waved in the direction of his home-office, where his encrypted digital files were secured.

"I know he's not clean. I've heard rumours, from sources I trust implicitly, but Blair Huntington is smart. As yet, I've been unable to obtain concrete proof of anything which may stain his reputation. However, with your help, I'm sure I could, and gain your independence. The freedom to be with me if that's what you choose, or just the freedom to be yourself. Or with James Astor." Richard almost choked on the man's name, but Alexandra's current relationship status couldn't just be ignored; it was another factor both needed to take into consideration. "I promised you that I would never to resort to blackmailing someone I once used to love; and still do; but as to your Father, all bets are off. I despise the man, and always have."

Richard's hand touched Alexandra's wrist, and his demeanour softened as he leaned in closer; an expression of care writ across his face, voice lowered to a whisper, and eyes which scanned his ex-lover's features. "However, Blair Huntington is your blood, not mine, and I'd do no harm without your consent. How badly do you desire your liberty, Alexandra, and what are you willing to do to obtain it? That's what you need to decide before we take this any further."

The mansion that Alexandra called home already felt like a prison to her just based on the expectations that were heaped upon her by her parents, and if she had known that she was also under surveillance the heiress might have taken her chances out in the real world much sooner than she had. Then again, if she had known how closely she was being watched she might not have dared to go visit Richard. Or even dared to take him into the study as she had for their private chat. Being watched on the security films was one thing, but knowing the depth of hatred that Karl felt for her was another thing. Lexi had always been slightly uncomfortable around the imposing body guard, but she felt that way about all of her father’s brownnosing staff and avoided them if she could. With so little interaction between them she would no doubt be baffled at his motivations of going such lengths to systematically blackmail her.

If she hadn’t been so anxious to meet her former lover the heiress might have noticed the black car steadily trailing the taxi, but by the time she had exited and greeted Richard it was too late to deny the reemergence of their acquaintance based on Karl’s photographic evidence. Lexi should have been relieved as the front door closed behind them and shut out the unknown voyeur, but instead her nerves seemed to escalate. She was torn between wanting to know right away what Richard had alluded to the other night, and also just having a conversation with him and finding out simple things about his life. Due to her limited about of time the socialite had to choose business first, however, although she didn’t miss the brief look of disappointment that crossed his face.

Alexandra actually was supposed to go and see James that evening, but she’d noticed how tense Richard had become when she had mentioned her current boyfriend at their first meeting and didn’t want to start this liaison with that admission. Her curiosity about his career grew exponential by the second as she noticed his hesitation, her blonde brows rising at his pause. She didn’t know what to expect, her expression puzzled at first and then her eyes widening in shock as he explained in greater detail just what an information broker was. Alexandra had never even heard of such a thing, but it began to make sense why he had been so derisive at the party. When you knew everyone’s dirtiest secrets it must be difficult to willingly interact with them.

It was a strange feeling to be disappointed but also somehow vindicated to know that even Richard couldn’t find anything concrete on her father; to know that he was as big a threat as she imagined. Her mind was racing as she wondered if she would be able to pull something like this off; to get some sort of proof of Huntington Sr’s illicit activities. Lexi wasn’t a fool, she knew that illegal dealings went on but it was better for her to know as little as possible about those things. Until now. “I would do anything.” Her voice was soft as she spoke, her blue eyes determined as she looked up at him. “He may be my father but I know he’s a bad person. I’ve turned a blind eye thus far but if you really think we could..” Alexandra trailed off, her fingers stretching and clasping his hand. “There’s nothing I desire more than to be my own person, truly, for the first time. “ No expectations, just freedom. It was almost too good to be true. “Where would we even begin though? He would be suspicious if I were to suddenly take an interest in the family business.”

In Richard's view, the discussion regarding the mansion being a prison for Alexandra referred to it as not a literal one, but as a prison of the mind, and he'd assumed that she was free to venture outside whenever she wished; as long, of course, as the places she was seen, and the company she was seen to keep, met with her Father's approval. He'd taken care the other night to not provide any reason for that to change, and had slipped in out of the mansion, unnoticed, with the exception of the woman he'd come to visit. Richard hadn't even considered the possibility that Alexandra may have been followed, let alone the fact that outside, sat a man whose plans for the woman were filled with a much darker, and more deliberate, intent to cause harm, than those of her Father ever had been. Blair Huntington's actions stemmed not only from a need for control and the maintenance of a public image, Richard had always believed, but also from a twisted version of love. Karl Williams had no such feelings towards the Huntington heiress.

Richard's focus remained on Alexandra as he told of his profession, and his eyes scanned her face in an attempt to gauge her reaction. Would it appal her, and Alexandra think him no better than the men he claimed to have information on? After all, the revelation proved that Richard himself was not clean. However, neither was he one of the men he spoke of; capable of the acts they perpetrated. The intelligence he gathered had mostly been put to good use, to remove those from public office and positions of power who did not belong there; rather than to allow evil to remain hidden. Hopefully Lexi would recognise that, and Richard for the man he was.

When she took his hand and expressed her desire for liberty, Richard exhaled a sigh of relief, and gently squeezed Lexi's fingers. He glanced towards the room from which he worked, then returned his attention to her. "You won't be required to take an interest in the business, or do anything which may directly arouse his suspicions. In fact, I hope we can avoid your Father altogether." Richard nodded reassuringly, then went on to relay his plan.

"I've accessed your Father's computer networks previously; the one at his office is easy and contains nothing of interest, but the one at your home? I can enter for about two minutes, but any longer than that is too dangerous; the security is unlike any I've witnessed before. That's where I believe we'll discover the evidence we require. I have some software, and with you on the inside, I can gain access. All you'd need do is locate the mainframe, and connect a flash-drive. A half hour to do its work, then I'm in for good." It sounded almost too easy to be true, and it almost was. "However, the room's sure to be secured and monitored, possibly even alarmed, and your Father certain to have his watchdogs, and those who perform the dirty work on his behalf. You're better placed to know who they are, and who to avoid. We'll only have one opportunity."

Richard's gaze had never wavered from that of his ex-lover's, and he shot her a smile which displayed more confidence than he actually felt, before he leaned in, placed one hand on her waist, and did something he'd waited an eternity for to be able to do again. The kiss was soft, yet firm, and his palm ran up her body with the press of his mouth against hers. He allowed the kiss to linger for a few seconds, then pulled back to meet her eyes; his voice barely above a whisper. "I've missed you, Lexi. We can do this."

***********
Outside, a glance at the man's watch told him that if he remained absent from his official duties for much longer it would be certain to be noted, so Karl placed the camera back in its case, and fired up his vehicle. A smile passed across his features as the black Taurus drove slowly past Treloar's residence, and he wondered how the couple inside would react if he walked up and knocked on the door. However, that was just a passing thought. Karl Williams had seen enough, and was happy to bide his time. Alexandra would return to the mansion soon, and if she didn't, he knew where she could be found.

It was true that although her father did not explicitly forbid her to leave the mansion on personal business the heiress was so over-scheduled that there was precious little time left over for herself. Sometimes she felt like a marionette on strings the way her time was so regimented and dictated. Parties, luncheons, fundraisers and more occupied nearly every hour of every day for her. One of the reasons Alexandra had acquiesced to dating James Astor at her father’s behest was that she figured she may finally be released from some of her other social obligations. Instead she merely gained a plus one to these functions, and on top of her normal duties now had to entertain James as well. Usually that meant she let him fuck her after dates and events, although that experience was mediocre at best and she rarely achieved release.

Lexi was tired of such a regimented and narrow existence, and the reappearance of Richard into her life served as the perfect catalyst to change her situation. Even if it had been a complete ruse on his part to help her escape the influence of her father the socialite would have still come to see him, although the revelation of his profession actually made her begin to think she could escape. Everyone had seen in the news lately how nothing was really secure on the internet, and that fact was cemented when a few local celebrities’ accounts had been hacked and all of their private photos exposed. Alexandra had never considered that such a talent could be used the opposite way, to expose immoral things people were doing, but she knew her former lover was a good person and would only use his talents when appropriate. “I’m so sorry I accused you of wanting a pay-off for those pictures..I was just so flustered when you showed up.” In a twisted way it was like she intuitively knew that he had the capability to ruin her with those old photos, but she was glad that his hatred only ran towards her father.

His profession was a revelation, but one that Lexi didn’t quite understand the mechanics of. Although she wasn’t computer illiterate by any means there was quite a difference between knowing how to surf the web and knowing how to break into it. She followed his gaze over to a close doorway, assuming that’s where he did his work. Or did hacker’s have an office to go in to? Alexandra was nervous about what she would need to do, but his explanation calmed her down. There was no way she would be able to get into his office for an extended period of time, but half an hour? That was more manageable. “I think I know where it would be located. There is a main security room where most of the equipment is set up. It’s guarded all the time though..” Lexi paused to consider, the idea suddenly hitting her that she’d overheard her father discussing a big upcoming trip. “My father will be gone on business soon and he takes his most important bodyguards with him, I may be able to send whoever’s left behind on a little errand though.”

The heiress was pleased with her sudden burst of inspiration, and Richard’s kiss took her by surprise. The familiar feel of his lips against her own made her stiffen momentarily, before she realized who it was and responded in kind. The embrace was entirely too short, although it had served to rekindle the passion she used to feel for him. Alexandra had been warring with herself on the short trip over, wondering if it was even possible for them to be just friends after their explosive affair as lovers. Her own significant other was a factor, although a miniscule one, and she assumed if he was seeing someone he would have mentioned it by that point. His kiss answered the question for her, however. “I’ve missed you too. More than you’ll know.” Lexi melted into his body as she spoke, her hands stroking down his chest. She leaned up to meet his lips again enthusiastically, the scent of her perfume engulfing them as their bodies collided.

As Richard had told her, there would only be one opportunity. If Lexi were to be caught installing the drive, her Father's staff would be sure to examine it, and further tighten security. There was no way in which it could be traced back to him, however Alexandra now knew where he lived, and a shiver ran down his spine as he envisaged the possible repercussions for his ex-lover. And for him. Richard wasn't totally certain how explosive Blair Huntington's retribution would be, but he had his suspicions, and knew that one way or another if it were discovered his daughter was attempting to escape his influence, she'd be forced to reveal whatever information she held; including Richard's profession and address. Maybe he should have taken more care, and met Lexi elsewhere.

His fist clenched by his side, and the man's teeth gritted momentarily; not caused by regret, but from guilt at the cowardly thought. No, he'd told Alexandra they could do this together, and together they would. Richard loved the women, and he'd do whatever it took, at any risk to himself, to free her from her chains. Whatever it took. He hoped Lexi hadn't noticed the expression which had passed across his face, or been able to read his mind as, with the taste of her lips still lingering upon his, he followed her gaze towards his home office, and sensed her own nervousness.

Composure regained, Richard gripped her hand tighter. "Don't apologise. I guess in your own way, you were right. I am capable of extortion." And who knows what else? That thought wasn't expressed out loud, but it gave Richard pause before he managed to shoot Lexi a smile, and returned to the matter at hand. A nod of his head accompanied her comments. "That sounds logical, and you don't need to remain the entire time. In and out. Install the flash-drive, then return to remove it before anyone can note that it doesn't belong, and investigate. Whatever you think best, just be safe, and don't rush. We've waited long enough, Lexi, we can wait a while longer if we need to. I'd hate to lose you again."

The sense of impending danger had resurfaced, and Richard's head shot around as a vehicle passed by on the street. He watched the black Ford Taurus disappear from view through the window, and when he turned back to Lexi, his eyes had widened. "A business trip. Whe...?" The mention of it had piqued his curiosity, and he recalled the articles regarding Mr Huntington's imminent week-long visit to Los Angeles he'd seen in the newspapers. The perfect opportunity to get up to mischief, away from the prying eyes of his wife and the press. Huntington may have been a big fish in his home city, but out there, the focus would be on others. However, before Richard could clarify his thoughts, or question Alexandra further, he was distracted by the press of her mouth against his, and the feel of her hands on his chest. All else was forgotten.

How long? How long had it been since they'd kissed like this? Richard responded to touch of their lips immediately and, as the waft of perfume and the warmth of her body, so close to his, engulfed his senses, Richard's arms engulfed her. One wrapped around her waist and the other hand snaked up, so that his palm cupped the back of her neck. Every inch of her skin, every curve and contour of her form was recalled in vivid detail, and flashed through his mind. "I always wondered. If you missed me, as much as I missed you. If that were possible." He whispered as they kissed.

Then as the kiss lingered and deepened, the man's demeanour changed; an urgency crept into his actions, and his tone contained a desperation which hadn't been there only moments before. His hand drifted to her ass to pull her hips closer, and his eyes burned dark with desire and lust. "I need you, Lexi." Less than a second later, Richard Treloar had Alexandra Huntington pressed up against the living-room wall. As his mouth found hers, probing tongue urging lips to part, one hand clasped the hair at the nape of her neck, and the other began to tear at her clothes. "Now."

It was over three months since Richard had last been with a woman; years since he'd been with Alexandra.

Thinking back now, Alexandra wasn’t entirely she when she had heard that her father was going away on business. Not that it mattered much. They weren’t the type of family to gather together for meals and share tales of their day; they were all so regimentally scheduled that the majority of the time she only saw her parents when they were together at social functions. In addition to being under such constant supervision and scrutiny it was the truth to say that the heiress often felt lonely and isolated. She had a lavish life, family and so-called friends, but none of those relationships were genuine. Least of all the ones with her parents or boyfriend. Not having a true connection with someone, platonic or otherwise, was starting to take a toll on her mental health and may also be a contributing factor to her willingness to jump on board with Richard’s risky plan.

Ordinarily the main computer command center of the manor was well guarded, and it would have been absolutely impossible for her to sneak in for any length of time to plant something. Theoretically she could have come up with some excuse about her own laptop being broken, but Lexi would never have been left alone in the room even if she could gain access and it would be a wasted effort if she couldn’t plant the flash drive. As he explained about the process she thoughtfully bit her lip, the worried expression clear on her face. It seemed simple; almost too simple for something that had the potential to free her from her father’s influence. His reassuring words helped to soothe her, however, and a small smile returned on her lips. “You’re right, of course. No use rushing into this blindly, we have some time to plan.” She sighed, and then giggled to herself. “It’s just so hard to sit back, now that I know there could be a way to get out.”

And for us to be together was implied, although the socialite could see that her former lover’s attention had drifted over her shoulder to the window. To make sure he caught her meaning Lexi didn’t hesitate to sidle up to him, her chest pressed flush against his as she leaned up to press their lips together. She was suddenly tired of talking; about the plan, about her father, about James Astor. There were other things they could be doing in her limited span of time, and she fully intended to thank him for his hospitality before she had to leave. Alexandra smiled into their kiss when she realized that she had caught him by surprise by his sudden immobility, although the unresponsiveness didn’t last for long as his arms came up to wrap around her slender body.

“Of course I missed you.” Their words were hushed, as if still expecting someone to walk in on their clandestine meeting. Her fingertips lazily trailed up from his warm chest to burrow into his dark hair. “You were the only one who really understood me. I’m sorry we were apart for so long.” Her life would no doubt be radically different if she had stood up to her father back then, and from everything Richard had been able to achieve it seemed like they could have carved out a comfortable existence for the two of them. It didn’t take much longer for their flirtatious kiss to turn darker, his hands on her ass making the heiress hum with pleasure against his lips. That hum turned into a gasp of surprise as she suddenly found herself being lifted and pressed against the nearby wall, her toned thighs pressing into his hips to keep her balance. “Then take me.”

Her lips ghosted against his as she spoke, breath intermingling before meeting as their tongues entwined. Alexandra moved with a sense of urgency, helping him to divest her jacket and leaving them in nearly identical outfits. The knit fabric of her camisole was thin, alluding to the pink lace of her bra beneath it. The touch of his skin against hers seemed to incite her passion even further, her hands sliding beneath the fabric of his shirt to touch the hard muscles of his back as her hips undulated against his.

Alexandra's words were music to his ears. To hear her express, aloud, how much she'd missed him, and what he'd meant to her, brought a relief to Richard he hadn't even realised he'd been awaiting. The concerns about the repercussions if their plan went awry were pushed to the back of his mind; Alexandra's intelligence on their first meeting had attracted him much as her looks, and Richard was confident she'd do nothing foolish; however they lingered in his subconscious, and possibly added to the urgency with which he deepened the kiss, and gripped her ass. What he desired more than anything in the world at that moment, was Lexi.

"We'll be together soon. Forever." That, if they gained access to the Huntington's private network, dirt would be found on the patriarch, Richard was in no doubt. Little did he know that their liaison had already been discovered, and Alexandra would soon have much more to worry about than the simple connection of a flash drive.

He shivered in pleasure at the feel of her body, sweet scent, and manner in which her fingers tangled in his hair, and his urges overwhelmed him. Richard had Lexi pressed up against the wall before he was aware he'd acted. Then take me. A soft moan escaped his lips, and the kiss became more passionate. His tongue entwined with hers, fingers touched hands, Lexi's jacket fell to the floor, and Richard's ministrations moved to her neck. "I want to make you mine."

With Lexi pinned to the wall, he pumped his growing erection against her undulating hips, and hooked his fingers into the fabric of her camisole. Lips and teeth kissed, licked and nipped at skin, Lexi's garment joined her jacket at their feet, and Richard squeezed a firm breast through the lace of her bra. How the camisole had been removed wasn't certain. Had Lexi assisted, or had Richard ripped it from her torso? To care about that, or the fact his teeth may be leaving marks on her skin, was the last thing on his mind.

A knee pressed into her thigh to urge her legs apart, and Richard's breathing grew heavier with the familiar sensation of her touch on the naked skin of his back. Quickly his kisses and bites moved south. Nails raked flesh as he tugged the bra straps down her shoulders, then tugged the cups down to free her breasts of their restraints. His other arm dropped to pop the button of her jeans.

It all occurred in a flash, and vaguely, in the recesses of his mind, Richard knew as much as he wanted to take her right there and then, without another moment's pause, he'd need to ensure she was ready. Because, when he did enter Lexi, Richard Treloar was too worked up to be gentle, and make love. He needed to fuck Alexandra as if he owned her, and again claim her as his. Gentleness, and taking his time to appreciate every inch of his lover's body, could wait until she escaped.

Simultaneously as his lips located a nipple, and he took it into his mouth, Richard jerked Lexi's jeans and panties down over her hips. The only sounds which emanated from the man were pants and low growls of need, and with his tongue flicking her bud, Richard slipped his palm between Alexandra's legs, parted her labia, and buried two fingers in her slit.

The longer time she spent in Richard’s company the more Alexandra began to feel like her younger, more carefree self. And she realized she wanted to feel like that all of the time. It had been enough for a while to just duck her head down and do what her parents expected of her; to smile and play nice at the parties and date the guy they wanted her to. It was definitely easier to just float along in life and enjoy the relative comfort of her social status, instead of struggle and fight to get out. She’d actually tried to run away once, long ago, but not long after she had Richard had split up. The socialite had been harboring deep resentment toward her father for him “showing” her what Richard had been up to, and she had wanted to get out of town and be by herself for a while. Lexi thought she’d been clever, researching flights and train times on her computer and surreptitiously withdrawing small amounts of cash from her bank card.

She’d never even made it to the train platform before her father’s bodyguards apprehended her and dragged the younger girl home to be disciplined. Alexandra had learned after that it was simply easier in the long run to just accept her role, until Richard showed up in her life like a breath of fresh air. His appearance was enough to spark the revival of her feisty former self, and part of that transformation included seeing if their chemistry was still as explosive as it used to be. The solid feel of the wall against her back made an interesting contrast to his hard chest pressed against her own, and Lexi reveled in familiar sensation of his lips moving over hers. “I want to make you mine.” The heiress chuckled, their breath intermingling as her blue eyes met his.

“Aren’t I already?” It was so easy how they seemed to fit together, and one of her biggest regrets was that she had given in to her father’s manipulations without more of a fight. Quick fingers assisted him in drawing her camisole over her head, the clingy fabric mussing her hair and letting some of the strands fall to frame her face. A breathy hum of pleasure left her lips as his tongue and teeth began to venture down her flushed skin to where her heaving breasts were barely contained in a scrap of rosy lace fabric. Her nipples were already hard and aching for his touch, but she was too busy pulling at the fabric of his shirt to worry about shedding any more of her own garments. “I need you to touch me.” Lexi moaned out to him, the feeling of his erection pressing against the juncture of her thighs making her fingertips dig into the strong muscles of his shoulders.

While their memories of their lovemaking were slightly hazy through time and distance, the heiress couldn’t ever recall him being so enthusiastic or demanding of her in the past. “Oh fuck!” Alexandra hissed out at the sensation of his hot mouth enveloping one of her pebbled nipples at the same time as his fingers pressing into her slick pussy. Foul language was certainly something she would never utter in public, but there were simply no words that fit as well. “Richard!” His name left her lips like a prayer, her eager hips rocking into his hand even as one of her own hands pressed his head further against her chest and the other began to push her jeans and panties lower.

The information broker felt as if he were in a dream. To finally be able to spend time with Lexi, alone, after all these years was something he'd long wished for, but never anticipated would come to fruition. Even when he'd entered the Family Manor the night of the cocktail party, he hadn't been aware of his full intentions, or where it may lead. Richard had wanted to speak to her, in person, so that he could attempt to move on, but what had occurred after their initial reunion had been on the spur of the moment. It entered his thoughts to just ask her to stay, and not return to the mansion. Ever. They'd figure out a plan; maybe relocate to another State, another country; whatever it took, so she'd need not endanger herself. However, Richard knew that would be impossible - Huntington had deep pockets, a vast network of contacts and, most of all, a man's pride; and unfair to ask of Lexi. She'd spend the rest of her life in hiding.

As much as he wished to just talk to Alexandra, to rediscover her, and speak about what had occurred in the intervening years; what had she been through, was she ever content, was there anything about the life he'd promised to help her escape from that she'd miss?; in the recesses of his mind lurked the fear that this may be their last opportunity to be together. If things went awry, the imprisonment Lexi had endured would be nothing in comparison to that which would surely follow. The repercussions for Richard were best not contemplated. They would succeed.

It was that urgency, and the need to be as close to Lexi as he could possibly be, which caused him to press her against the wall. Although their lovemaking had always been full of passion, Richard, as a young man, had been gentle; not daring to hurt or disappoint his lover in any way. However, this was different; he'd matured and become more sure of himself, and in what women desired. Richard was torn between simply ripping Lexi's panties off and fucking her, right there and then against the wall, hard enough so that she'd still feel him throbbing between her legs when she retired to bed that night, and taking a few moments to savour her in the short time they had together.

His deep blue eyes sparkled, and he nodded in affirmation when she responded that she was already his. "Forever." Then his head dipped. Richards hips pressed her ass to the wall and his burgeoning erection ground against her as his teeth and lips found her neck. Her fingers digging into his back, and undulating hips brought forth a groan of pleasure, and caused him to nip the skin of her throat harder than he'd intended. Richard paused to assist Lexi to remove his own shirt, and it joined the other garments at their feet; breath shortening, and defined abdominals, with a fine trail of hair which lead down to his taut, trim stomach, heaving from desire and exertion.

'I need you to touch me'. So he did. She felt so good, smelled so good. The naked skin of his torso pressed against her body, and his mouth covered one firm breast. The tip of his tongue darted out, and flicked a pebbled nipple back and forth, before his lips wrapped around it. Simultaneously, he slid his hands between her thighs; her fingers brushing his as she pushed her clothing further down her hips; and slid two digits into her pussy. His eyes lifted to meet hers when the exclamation fell from Lexi's lips, and he curled his fingers inside her, wanting to elicit further moans and sounds of pleasure. His thumb brushed her clit, and his hand began to move faster as he toyed with her erect nipple, and finger-fucked her slick cunt.

He thrust his digits in and out with increased speed, and the pad of his thumb applied more pressure to her clit. The feel of her hand in his hair, holding him against her breast, brought forth moans, and his hot breath vibrated against the stiff nipple he held between his lips. It took an effort for Richard to release himself of her grip enough to allow her bud, glistening from his ministrations, to pop free, and he moved up to kiss her. Hard. "I want to taste you." Every movement still full of urgency and heat, he wasn't asking permission.

Richard broke the kiss, then, with one final brush of her clit, withdrew his digits from her pussy, and dropped to his knees. Hands reached around to grip Lexi's ass, then glided down to her thighs. Her sex directly in front of his eyes, Richard needed to taste her, to savour her, to pleasure Lexi, before he fucked her. It wasn't gentle. The second he forcefully pulled her ass off the wall, and pried her legs apart with his grip, Richard's lips enveloped her folds. Nails raked the back of her thighs, and fingers dug in hard enough to leave bruises as he thrust his hot, wet, writhing tongue inside Lexi, and commenced to ravish her with his mouth.

All rational thought seemed to fly from her mind as their flesh melded together, hands roaming and lips touching. It probably was not the smartest idea for their clandestine meeting to have taken place at Richard’s home, but they certainly could not have risked meeting out in public and being seen and recognized. Alexandra should have behaved herself and not tempted him into a tryst, since she was the one with the significant other. It had been wrong of her to interrupt their ‘business meeting’, but she had been wondering since the party how it would feel to kiss him again after all of the years that parted them. However, if she was being honest with herself she couldn’t classify James as significant at all and that was why Lexi felt no remorse for what she and Richard were doing. Even if James came knocking on the door at that moment she doubted she could have pulled herself away from the magnetic appeal that her former lover seemed to possess.

Although they had both changed and matured over the years as all people do, Lexi was more than pleasantly surprised by his forceful actions. She had expected to share a few kisses and probably have it ended there because he was a gentleman, but he certainly surprised her in a good way with his sudden fervor and the way he took what he wanted. Rationally she knew at any point she could ask for him to stop, to put some space between them so that she could think rationally. But the socialite didn’t want distance, craving instead the intimate contact the two of them were sharing. The feel of his teeth nipping her porcelain skin, their naked torsos pressing against each other, her hands boldly keeping him exactly where she wanted him most.

It felt like she was in some sort of whirlwind; on a ride that she didn’t want to end. Lexi couldn’t get undressed fast enough, fumbling as she shimmied out of her jeans. She had to bite her lip to keep from crying out again as two of his fingers began to fuck her eager pussy, their passage made easier by how aroused she was. The heiress tried to keep their gazes locked, blue eyes meeting blue eyes, as he touched her but she was so overwhelmed with lust and joy at their long overdue reunion that the sensations soon began to overwhelm her. The sight of his fingers disappearing into her slit and his lips wrapped around her nipple was nearly enough to make her cum right there, but that would have been too easy.

Lexi softened her grip on his hair as he straightened up and captured her lips again, the kiss almost bruising in intensity. She gasped when they broke apart, the sound turning into a moan of anticipation at his words. “You don’t have to..” Her words were weak, however, as were her knees even before he knelt before her. It wasn’t that she was embarrassed, but oral sex wasn’t something especially high on the list of her previous boyfriend’s favorite things to do. The heiress was actually somewhat inexperienced when it came to receiving it, and she felt a momentary flutter of nervousness as he forcefully parted her thighs and grasped the taunt muscles of her ass. Any hesitation immediately disappeared at the first flick of his tongue against her sensitive pink pussy, this pleasure different from anything she had felt before.

“Richard! Oh my god..” She was breathless at the feeling of him between her thighs, one hand buried in his hair again and the other touching her breast where he’d left off. It didn’t take long for her to feel that familiar pressure building, the lithe muscles of her abdomen beginning to tighten in anticipation of her climax. “I’m gonna cum.” Was all the warning she could manage as the pleasure finally reached a peak and caused her to snap with a loud moan, head thrown back and hips undulating as she crested through an orgasm.